Sheet folding machine



Jam 1Q, 193%.

W. E. R-OSEBUSH SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l Waldo E KWE 305% u-QQM,

ATTORN EYS Jan. 10, 1939..

W. E. ROSEBUSH SHEET FOLDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20, 1936 .m I n ll] II III... mllvim :55 m III 'ifi'lnmmn mu: 1*:- f lNVENTOR M610 1. Roaefizwk BY W ATTORNEYS Jalnh 1939 w. E. ROSEBUSH SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY v Y ATTORNEYS;

will! 1m. 10, 1939. RQS B 1 2,143,714

SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1956 5 Shets-Sheet 4 WITNESS INVENTOR 2% WaZdg Z. ieoseaz ie ATTORNEYS Jan. 1@, 1939. w. E. ROSEBUSH 2,

SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR f. Rose6zw- BY W "N K/ ATTOR EYS Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATET OFFIQE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding machine for the purpose of folding sheet material, such as stationery of all kinds, including letter sheets, bills, statements, etc., as Well as mimeographs. More particularly the invention relates to a folding machine capable of feeding sheets-of material successively and making successive folds in the sheets.

One of the objects of the invention is the pro vision of a machine of the indicated character whereby to expeditiously fold large quantities of the aforesaid kinds of materials.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a machine of the indicated character,

' of means whereby sheet material of various sizes may be accommodated and folded.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a machine of the indicated character, of means whereby folds of various sizes may be made in the material.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a machine of the indicated character, of means whereby a sheet of foldable material of a definite size may be variously folded to be enclosed in envelopes of various sizes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the combination, construction and operation of the parts as specified in the following specification, defined as to scope in the appended claims, and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a folding machine embodying the features of the invention, portions thereof being broken away;

the machine, portions thereof being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a view of the rear end of the machine looking toward the same from the side opposite that appearing in Fig. 2, portions being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a View illustrating one of the bearings which support the fold pockets;

Fig. '7 is a view illustrating one of the auxiliary roller tension devices under tension;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the device released in order to release the tension on the roller;

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the tension lever of the device shown in Figs, 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 illustrates the manner in which the tension device is connected with each arbor of the auxiliary roller;

Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating various steps in the folding of a sheet of paper;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the fold pockets and connected parts;

Fig. 17 is a view of one of the details of the first stage feed;

Fig. 18 is a view illustrating one of the de- 10 tails of the second stage feed;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary section illustrating one of the deflectors and the manner of adjustably mounting the same;

Fig. 20 is a view illustrating a sheet with one 13; fold extending transversely with respect to its major axis, said fold being approximately onethird the length of the sheet;

Fig. 21 is a view illustrating the sheet with two folds extending transversely of the major axis, 20 the sheet thus folded fitting in a relatively large envelope;

Fig. 22 illustrates a sheet folded approximately midway between its ends transversely of its major axis; v 5

Fig. 23 illustrates the folded sheet of Fig. 22, further folded once parallel to the said major axis;

Fig. 24 is a view illustrating the folded sheet of Fig. 22 folded a second time parallel to the 30. major axis to complete the folding of the sheet so as to be received in a small size envelope;

Fig. '25 illustrates the sheet given a military fold;

Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the folding mechanism for folding a sheet as illus trated in Fig. 25.

It is to be understood that the machine of the present invention is designed and adapted to fold any kind of material, such as paper used for correspondence, ordinary mimeograph paper, and other normal kinds of paper--light weight papers and those unusually heavy being excepted. In the present instance the machine, by way of example, is described for folding a letter sheet of paper 8 inches by 11 inches.

The machine includes a first stage folding mechanism A, including a main roller 10, auxiliary rollers ll, 42 and I3, respectively, and fold pockets E i and I5, respectively. The roller I0 1 has arbors l6 and I1 journaled in bearings embodied by standards [8 so as to rotate about a horizontal axis provided by said arbors l5 and ii. Each of the auxiliary rollers ll, [2 and I3 is resiliently mounted so as to rotate on a horif;

' provide a flat fold plate or member 25 and a zontal axis. To this end each of the auxiliary rollers has arbors I9 in axial alignment which are receivable, respectively, in notches 20 in the standards I 8. The notches are of sufficient depth so that each auxiliary roller normally may roll into contact with the cylindrical surface of the main roller II]. A tension device is connected with each of the arbors I9 of each auxiliary roller so that the latter will exert proper folding pressure in conjunction with the roller I0, feeding and/or folding pressure as the case may be. Such tension device consists of a contractile spring 2| having one end connected with a collar 22 fixed on the related arbor I9 and its other end connected with a stud 23 on a lever 24 fulcrumed on the related standard I8 (see Figs. '7 to 10, inclusive). Each lever 24 may be moved to one position (as shown in Fig. '1) to place its spring 2| under tension. Consequently the auxiliary roller will be yieldingly mounted and normally will roll into contact with the roller I0. When each of the levers 24 is moved to its further position, the spring 2| will be allowed to contract thereby relieving the related roller of tension. The auxiliary rollers II, I2 and I3 are arranged in spaced relation to each other. The auxiliary roller I I serves in conjunction with the main roller II], to advance the sheets fed thereto for the folding operations. Each of the auxiliary rollers I2 and I3 serves in conjunction with the roller ID; to crease the sheet along the fold line and also to advance the folded sheet. The collars 22 prevent axial movement of the auxiliary rollers but as a positive means for prevention washers may be used between the end of the rollers and the inside of the frame or standard which provide a bearing and also reduce any friction between the end of the rollers and the frame. Each of the fold pockets I4 is made preferably of a single piece of sheet metal so as to back check plate or member 26 joined to the plate or member 25 by a curved bight 21. The lower edge portion 28 of the plate or member 26 is curved forwardly so that the mouth of the pocket will be flared to readily receive the leading edge of the sheet. Each pocket I4 and I5 is suspended on a rod 29 which extends through lugs 30 upstruck from the fold plate 25, said rod having its opposite ends supported respectively in bearings 3| adjustably secured to the standards I8 respectively. One of the bearings 3| is shown most clearly in Fig. 6. Each bearing has a hinge cap 32 retained in operative position by a spring latch 33. The base of the bearing 3| has a screw stud 34 which is threaded in the flange of the related standard. A jamb nut 35 surrounds the stud 34 between the bearing 3| and the standard flange. The stud 34 and nut 35 constitute means for adjusting the bearing 3| vertically. It will now be understood that each fold pocket is mounted so as to swing, oscillate or pivot on a horizontal axis, and that said pocket may be adjusted. The rod 29 of the pocket I4 has laterally extending ends 36 which act as a gravity balance. The pocket I4 is suspended so that the lower portion thereof will be disposed between the auxiliary rollers II and I2. The curved edge portion 28 in the normal position of the pocket I4 will be in contact with the roller l I. The rod 29 of the fold pocket I5 has a bent portion 31 on one or both ends engageable with the standard I8 to limit the movement of the pocket I5 in one direction. A tension spring 38 has one end thereof connected with the portion 31 and its opposite end is connected with a stud 39 carried by the standard. The fold pocket is suspended so that the lower portion thereof is disposed between the rollers I2 and I3. The spring 38 keeps the fold pocket I5 under tension subject to the engagement of the portion 31 with the standard I8 in consequence of which the curved edge portion 28 of the pocket I5 will be in contact with the roller I2. The spring tension is desirable due to the stiffness of the paper resulting from the paper being folded upon itself. This spring tension may be changed for any extremes in the character of the paper. By reason of the hinge caps 32 of the bearings 3|, the fold pockets are readily removable and replaceable for varying the folding of the sheets.

Between the rollers II and I2 and the rollers I2 and I3, in order to deflect the leading edge of each sheet as it is being advanced, there is provided a deflector 40. The deflector is supported at the ends by plates 4| which are adjustably mounted on the sides of the standards respectively. Each plate 4| is held in adjusted position by a screw 42 driven into the standard. The standard has a slot 43 therein to accommodate the related end of the deflector. Each deflector 40 consists of stock which is round in cross section at the ends and half-round between the ends for the major portion of the length thereof, so as to be disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller Ill and overlying the cylindrical surface of said roller. Each deflector 40 serves to deflect the leading edge of each advancing sheet into the related fold pocket, as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, and further to cooperate with all the rollers and the fold pockets in folding the sheets. The main roller I is driven or rotated in the present instance by means of a crank handle 44 secured to the arbor I1.

Any suitable means may be provided for feeding sheets successively one at a time to the folding mechanism A. The paper feed employed operates automatically in accord with the operation of the folding mechanism A. The feed includes a table on which the sheets to be folded are stacked, said sheets being designated S. A driving crank 5| is mounted on the arbor I6 of the roller II]. A driving lever 52 is connected with the crank 5| and a feed roller shaft assembly 53 operatively mounted on the table 53. The assembly 53 includes a lift shaft 54 having an arm 55 movable therewith, said arm carrying a feed pad 56. A raising lever 51 has one end fulcrumed on the arbor I6 and includes a timing rail 58 which actuates a stud 59 on one end of a lift lever 60 secured to the shaft 54 to rock the same. A reverse raising lever 6| has one end connected with the assembly 53 and its other end rests on a crank pin 62 carried by the crank 5|. The lever 6| acts on a stud 63 carried by the lever 51. The provision and arrangement is such that when the crank rotates counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, the assembly 53 will be caused to oscillate back and forth through the intervention of the lever 52 and the pad 56 will be caused to move into and out of contact with the stack of sheets S alternately through the intervention of the pin 62, stud 63, raising lever 51, stud 59, lever 60, shaft 54, and arm 55. This will cause one sheet at a time to be fed between the roller I0 and the roller I I. Gages 54 are adjustable on the top of the table at the sides of the stack of sheets at or near the leading edges thereof to guide the sheets. Use is also made of adjustable sheet retainers 65 to maintain the sheets properly stacked so that they may be fed one at a time. Theretainers. 65 are adjustably mounted on the top of the table 50.

The sheets folded by the mechanism A are delivered to a table l0. Arranged in operative relation to the table "i0 is a second stage folding mechanism B. The mechanism B receives sheets folded in a manner to be explained, fed at a right angle to the path of movement upon leaving the folding mechanism A. The folding mechanism B is substantially the same in all material respects to the folding mechanism A, the only exception being that the rollers and fold pockets are shorter and the standards are of a somewhat different design. For the sake of convenience, the parts of the folding mechanism B will therefore be given reference numerals similar to those applied to corresponding parts of the mechanism A, with the further understanding that numerically 100 will be added to each numeral applied to the mechanism B.

The folded sheets delivered to the table 18 from the folding mechanism A are fed to the folding mechanism B by a feed presently to be described. A driving crank "H is mounted on one of the arbors of the roller ill and a driving lever 12 has one end thereof connected with the crank, as at 13, and its other end is connected with a rock lever id mounted on the table 10. An arm.l5 is pivotally connected with the lever 14 by a shaft 16, the arm carrying a feed pad H. A timing rail 18 has one end connected with a. shaft 79, as at 80, so that the rail may swing up and down, the swinging movement being limited by a pin-and-slot connection 8! between the rail 18 and the shaft 79. The shaft '59 is supported by a standard 82. The arm 15 carries a lift pin 83. When the crank it rotates clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3, the lever M will be caused to rock rearwardly to the left, thereby causing the pin 83 to ride up on the rail 18 and so lift the pad l'T during one-half revolution of the crank l'l. At the end of this half revolution of the crank H, the pin 82 will clear the pivoted end of the rail 18 by reason of the notch 84, allowing the pad 11 to drop into contact with the next folded sheet. In the next half revolution of the crank T l, the lever M will be rocked forwardly or to the right, causing feeding movement of the pad Ti through the intervention of the shaft 19 and the arm 15. During this forward movement of the arm 15, the pin 83 will be moving under the rail '58 in contact therewith causing the rail to swing upwardly until the pin has advanced far enough to clear the free end of the rail, allowing the latter to drop again to the position shown in Fig. 3 for the lifting operation upon the continued rotation of the crank l I.

The folding mechanism 13 is operated in response to the operation of the folding mechanism A by transmission means as follows. A gear 85 rotates with the roller i0 and is arranged at one end thereof inside the adjacent frame it. The gear 85 meshes with a gear 86 mounted for rotation on a stub shaft 81 journaled in a suitable bearing carried by one of the standards H 8. A bevel gear 88 is integral with the gear 86 and said gear 88 meshes with a large bevel gear 89 rotatable with the roller Hi]. The gear 89 is arranged at one end of the roller 1 ill inside the adjacent frame H8.

In order to cooperate with the rollers Hi and i3 of the folding mechanism A in delivering folded sheets to the proper position on top of the table 16, there is provided a friction roller 96 whose shaft 9| has its opposite ends journaled in bearings supported by the framework of the table 10. The roller 90 projects through an elongated opening 92 in the top of the table H1 adjacent the roller [3. The cylindrical surface of the roller 90 may be of any suitable character so as to frictionally engage the folded sheets to move them against a stop 93 on the top of the table Hi. The stop 93 is adjustable and also detachable. The roller 99 is rotated by means of a gear 94 fast on the shaft 9i, said gear 94 meshing with the gear 85.

When it is desired to make successive folds in sheets fed successively one at a time, use will be made of the folding mechanism A with two fold pockets in position, these pockets being of the same depth. For a sheet 8 inches wide by 11 inches long, the fold pockets will have a Width of approximately 8 inches and the depth of each pocket will be approximately 3%; inches. Each sheet is fed between the rollers l0 and H by the sheet feed as will be understood. The rollers l9 and H advance the sheet causing the leading edge thereof to be deflected by the first deflector 46 into the pocket l4 against the fold member 25, as shown in Fig. 11. The pocket M hangs near but not necessarily against the roller H, and is under the gravity balance of the portions 36 of the rod 29. The pressure of the leading portion of the sheet as it is forced into the f pocket I4, forces the latter against the roller l2, as shown in Fig. 12. When the leading edge of the sheet encounters the bight 21 of the pocket, due to the continued advancement of the sheet, the latter will be forced between the roller i2 and the roller ll], as shown in Fig. 13. This will cause the sheet to bulge as it passes over the deflector, but its upward movement is stopped by the curved edge 28 of the pocket as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13. The first fold is thus made as the sheet passes between the roller l2 and the roller II). In Fig. 14 there is shown the first fold passing over the second deflector while the pocket i4 is being relieved to move back into its normal inoperative position. At this time the trailing end of the sheet will have left the feed table 50. The first fold advances until it strikes the fold member 25 of the pocket 55 into which it is deflected by the second deflector 40. Due to the stiffness of the fold, the pocket is forced against the roller l3, as indicated in dotted lines.

against the action of the tension spring 38. At the same time the sheet is forced upward into the pocket 15 as inthe manner previously described with reference to the pocket M. In this manner the sheet is folded a second time. The first folding operation is illustrated clearly in Fig. 20 and the second folding operation is illustrated in Fig. 21. A sheet folded in this manner will fit in a relatively large envelope, approxi mately 4%; inches by 9 inches.

It is to be understood that in folding sheets in the manner described with the folding mechanism A for relatively large envelopes, the feed of the folding mechanism B will be rendered inactive by detaching the driving lever 12 and then swinging back the lever 14 and the arm 15 with its pad H. A removable plate on the table may be provided in order to discharge the folded sheets from the folder A without passing them through folder B.

When it is desired to fold the sheets into a smaller compass so as to fit in relatively small envelopes, approximately 3% inches by 6% inches, the feed of the folding mechanism B is rendered active. The fold pocket IE will be omitted and a fold pocket I4 of greater depth, namely, one approximately 5 inches deep, will be used. It will therefore be obvious that each sheet as it is fed to the folding mechanism A will be folded transversely to its major axis approximately at the middle, as indicated in Fig. 22. The sheet thus folded will be delivered to the top of the table 10 from which it will be transferred by the pad TI to the folding mechanism B. This mechanism will employ two fold pockets each of a depth between 2%; inches to 3 inches The mechanism B will make successive folds in the previously folded sheet parallel to the major axis, or in other Words at right angles to the previous fold. This is indicated in Figs. 23 and 24. The folded sheets may be delivered to any suitable receptacle not shown.

In Fig. 26 there is shown a rearrangement of elements of the folding mechanism, whereby military folding of the sheets may be accomplished to be placed within window envelopes. The illustration is diagrammatic and similar reference numerals are applied to parts corresponding to those of the folding mechanism A.

It will be observed that the auxiliary roller I2 is larger than the rollers H and I3; that the roller l3 cooperates with the roller l2; that the fold pocket I5 has the mouth end thereof disposed between the main roller 10 and the roller I3; and that the second deflector 4B is underneath the roller I2 in proximity to the cylindrical surface thereof. Each sheet passes between the rollers I0 and H into the pocket M and is advanced to make the first fold as the sheet passes underneath the roller l2 into the pocket l5 making the second fold as the sheet passes between the rollers l2 and l3.

I claim:

1. In a folding machine, a fold plate having limited pivotal movement in opposite directions, means to move a sheet edgewise against said plate to bend the sheet back upon itself and to continue the movement of the sheet, means to deflect the leading edge of the sheet against said plate as it is being moved by said first means to bend the sheet back upon itself, means to check the bulging of the sheet as it continues to move in contact with the deflector and after the bending of the sheet aforesaid, and means which cooperates with the first means to exert pressure on opposite sides of the bent sheet to fold the bent portion of the sheet against the other portion thereof.

2. In a folding machine, thecombination of opposed feed rollers for feeding sheets of material successively, a fold member positioned above one of said rollers and beyond and at one side of the other one of said rollers, a sheet deflector positioned to deflect the leading end of each sheet against said fold member to bend back a portion of the sheet, and a roller beyond said fold member which cooperates with the first mentioned roller to fold said portion against the remaining portion of the sheet.

3. In a folding machine, the combination of an oscillatory fold member, means for feeding sheets of material successively toward the fold member, a sheet deflector to deflect the leading end of each sheet against said fold member as it is being fed by said means, so as to bend back a portion of the sheet, means to control the amount of oscillatory movement of the fold member, and means acting to fold said sheet portion against the remaining portion of the sheet.

4. In a sheet folding machine, a main sheet feeding roller, an auxiliary sheet feeding roller which cooperates with said main roller to feed successive sheets, a fold member suspended above the main roller and disposed beyond said auxiliary roller, said fold member having limited swinging movement in opposite directions, and a sheet deflector overlying said main roller to deflect the leading portion of the sheet against said fold member, and a compression roller beyond the fold member which cooperates with the main roller and fold member as it is being fed by said rollers, so as to bend back a portion of the sheet to fold the sheet while it is being advanced by the main and auxiliary rollers.

5. In a sheet folding mechanism, folding pockets having limited swinging movement in opposite directions and each having a flared mouth and a fold plate, means to feed sheets successively, stationary means below and in advance of said mouth to deflect the leading portion of each sheet into each pocket against its plate as the sheet is advanced, to bend said portion backward, and pressure means beyond each fold plate to press the bent portion of the sheet against the remaining portion thereof.

6. In a sheet folding mechanism, rollers to contact opposite sides of a sheet to advance the same edgewise, a fold pocket having limited swinging movement in opposite directions, a defiector between one of said rollers and said pocket to deflect the leading edge of the sheet into said pocket while the sheet advances, to bend a portion of the sheet backward, and another roller which cooperates with one of said first mentioned rollers, to exert pressure on the bent sheet to fold the sheet, and also to continue to advance the sheet.

'7. In a sheet folding mechanism, sheet folding pockets each having limited pivotal movement in opposite directions, each of said pockets being of inverted U formation and its pivot being near the closed end, and rollers which cooperate with said pockets to make successive folds in sheets as moved by said rollers and by reason of the pivotal movement of the pockets.

8. In a sheet folding mechanism, a sheet folding pocket consisting of a fold plate and a back check plate joined to said plate by a curved bight, means behind said plate near said bight to support said pocket for pivotal movement in opposite directions, means to limit the pivotal movement of the pocket in both directions, means acting on said pocket to restrain the pivotal movement of the pocket in one direction, and means to feed a sheet edgewise so that its leading edge rides on said fold plate until said edge encounters said bight thereby causing the sheet to bulge, the bulge being limited by said back check plate and thus making a fold in the sheet as it continues being advanced by said last means.

9. In a sheet folding mechanism, a sheet folding pocket consisting of a fold plate and a back check plate joined to said fold plate by a curved bight, means positioned in the vicinity of said bight adjacent said fold plate to support said pocket for pivotal movement in opposite directions, means to limit the pivotal movement of the pocket in both directions, means acting on said pocket to restrain the pivotal movement of the pocket in one direction, and means to feed a sheet edgewise so that its leading edge rides on said fold plate until said edge encounters said bight thereby causing the sheet to bulge, the bulge being limited by said back check plate and thus making a fold in the sheet as it continues being advanced by said last means.-

10. In a sheet folding mechanism, folding pockets having limited swinging movement in opposite directions, rollers, and sheet deflectors between said rollers and said pockets, said pockets, rollers, and deflectors being so arranged with respect to each other that the sheets are moved by said rollers, deflected into said pockets by said deflectors, buckled by said pockets, and creased by certain of said rollers, thus making successive folds in the sheets.

11. In a sheet folding mechanism, a main roller rotatable on a horizontal axis, auxiliary rollers arranged in spaced relation to each other and each being rotatable on a horizontal axis, sheet folding pockets, means positioned at the backs and near the tops of said pockets on which the latter are suspended above the main roller and arranged respectively between said auxiliary rollers, each of said pockets having limited pivotal movement in opposite directions, the provision and arrangement being such that the sheets are operated on by said rollers and pockets making successive folds in the sheets.

12. In a sheet folding mechanism, a main roller rotatable on a horizontal axis, yieldingly mounted rollers arranged in spaced relation to each other and each being rotatable on a hori zontal axis, sheet folding pockets suspended above the main roller and arranged respectively between said yieldingly mounted rollers, each of said pockets having limited pivotal movement in opposite directions on means positioned near the tops of said pockets respectively, the provision and arrangement being such that the sheets are operated on by said rollers and pockets making successive folds in the sheets.

WALDO E. ROSEBUSH. 

